THE ABCD APPROACH TO WORKING WITH RURAL COMMUNITIES

Jutta Dotterweich, ACT for Youth, Cornell University

BWIAH Provider Meeting – Albany, May 2019

OBJECTIVES

Identify core concepts of asset-based community development

Explore the power of individual assets and associations

How can we apply ABCD principles to our work?

HOW DO YOU SEE RURAL COMMUNITIES?

NEEDS ASSETS

Focuses on deficiencies Focuses on effectiveness

Results in fragmentation of responses to local needs

Builds interdependencies

Makes people consumer of services; builds dependence

Identifies ways that people can give their talents

Residents have little voices in deciding how to address local concerns

Seeks to empower people

COMMUNITY NEEDS MAP

Unemployment DilapidatedHousing

Suicide & DepressionHomelessness

Single Parent Families

Juvenile Delinquency

Teen Pregnancy Illiteracy

Alcohol &DrugAbuse

Gangs

DomesticAbuse

ChildAbuse Crime

MentalDisability

Poverty

CONSEQUENCES OF THE POWER OF THE NEEDS MAP

1. Internalization of “deficiency” identity by local residents

2. Destruction of “local” relationships

3. Reinforcement of narrow categorical funding flows

4. Direction of funds towards professional helpers, not residents

5. Focuses on “leaders” who magnify deficiencies

6. Rewards failure, promotes dependency

7. Creates hopelessness

ABCD PRINCIPLES & GOALS

Everyone has gifts

For ABCD to work, everyone must give gifts

Identifies and mobilizes the assets of individuals, especially those who are marginalized

Builds relationships among community members, especially those that are mutually supportive

Gives community members more roles and power in local institutions; citizens lead efforts

COMMUNITY ASSETS MAP

GOVERNMENT

LIBRARIES HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES

PARKS

Local InstitutionsHOSPITALS

Citizens’ Associations

Gifts ofIndividuals

CHURCHES BLOCK CLUBS

CULTURAL CLUBS

INCOME

YOUTH ELDERLY

SKILLS

DIFFERENTLY ABLED PEOPLE

COLLEGES

SCHOOLSBUSINESS

FIVE TYPES OF ASSETS TO CONNECT

Talent and skills of our people Associations and our network of relationships Institutions and professional entities Physical assets

Land Property Buildings

Economic assets Productive work of individuals Consumer spending power Local business assets

WHEEL: STORIES

Stories• Background & Personal History

• Like to Do

• Realizing & Engaging Skills

• Community Development

• Economic Growth

• Addressing Racism

• Including Those Who Are Marginalized

Individual Gifts or Assets

Knowledge/Skills

Passions/Interests

Social Networks

HandOuts/personal assets.ppt

Activity

Types of Associations

• Artistic Groups• Business Professional

Associations• Charitable Associations• Church Groups• Civic Groups• Collectors Groups• Community Support Groups• Elderly Groups• Ethnic and Cultural Groups• Health & Fitness Groups• Special Interest Groups• Media and

Communications Groups

• Self Help Groups• Neighborhood Councils• Block Watch Associations• Outdoors Groups• Political Organizations• School Groups (PTA’s etc.)• Service Clubs• Alumni Associations• Sports Leagues• Study Groups• Survivors Groups•Veterans Groups• Women’s Groups•Youth Groups

SMALL GROUPS: WHAT ARE ASSOCIATIONS IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

SOCIAL CAPITAL QUESTIONS

How does your work foster communication and relationship-building among the people you serve and residents in your community?

What are the associations in your communities? What might they be able or willing to do to improve the community?

THINK ABCD TO IDENTIFY RESOURCES

PresenterPresentation Notes

Chart1

Faith Based Community

Education

Workforce Development

Law Enforcement

Human Services

Youth Programs

Health

Businesses

Neighborhood Associations

Column1

Faith Based Community

NeighborhoodAssociations

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

Sheet1

Column1Column2

Faith Based Community2

Education2

Workforce Development2

Law Enforcement2

Human Services2

Youth Programs2

Health2

Businesses2

Neighborhood Associations2

Personnel

Constituents

Space and Facilities

Expertise

Networks of Connections

Materials and Equipment

Economic Power

ASSETS OF ORGANIZATIONS

CCE

Social Services BOCES

Mental Health

Health CareProvider

Constituents

Facilities

Expertise

Connections

Equipment

Individual Assets

Your Agency

The problem – literacy.

Start with an answer…

Who would like to become a tutor or

Start with a conversation…

How do you see the problem of literacy?What do people have to offer to address the issue?What do people “want” to offer?

What is the real question you want to answer?

START WITH A CONVERSATION

Discover what people care about

Meaningful Action

More Connections

Conversations

WHAT ARE YOUR TAKEAWAYS?

RESOURCES

ABCD Institute https://resources.depaul.edu/abcd-institute/Pages/default.aspx

ABCD Institute. 2005. Discovering Community Power: A Guide to Mobilizing Local Assets and Your Organization’s Capacity

https://resources.depaul.edu/abcd-institute/publications/publications-by-topic/Documents/kelloggabcd.pdf

ABCD Institute Workbook. 2001. The Organization of Hope: A Workbook for Rural Asset-Based Community Development. Chicago: ACTA Publications

https://resources.depaul.edu/abcd-institute/Pages/default.aspxhttps://resources.depaul.edu/abcd-institute/publications/publications-by-topic/Documents/kelloggabcd.pdf

Jutta DotterweichDirector of TrainingACT for Youth Center for Community ActionBCTR, Cornell Universitywww.actforyouth.net

jd81@cornell.edu607-255-4108

http://www.actforyouth.net/mailto:jd81@cornell.edu

The ABCD Approach to Working with Rural CommunitiesObjectivesHow do you see Rural Communities?Slide Number 4Slide Number 5Consequences of the power of the needs mapABCD principles & goalsSlide Number 8Five types of assets to connectWheel: StoriesSlide Number 11Slide Number 12Small groups: �What are associations in your community?Social capital questionsThink ABCD to Identify Resources Slide Number 16Slide Number 17Start with a conversationSlide Number 19What are your takeaways?ResourcesSlide Number 22